Real eye Neymar after major clear out

Los Blancos will look to ditch Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema after growing stale this season, with Barcelona opening up a 19-point advantage in La Liga over the defending champions.

President Florentino Perez has reportedly resisted pressure from Ronaldo for a new deal this time, with the Portuguese international upset at earning less than Lionel Messi after his bumper extension at the Camp Nou. But with Ronaldo now 32 years of age and showing major signs of decline, it appears as if Real are set to push the reset button.

LIVE BLOG

23.05 GMT: That will do it for today's Transfer Talk Live, remember to check back in a few hours for the latest on Alexis Sanchez and all the rumours and done deals from around the globe. Goodnight!

22.57 GMT: Our final deal of the day is a big one. Famed former Premier League referee Howard Webb has earned himself a new gig.

Webb who has been charge of VAR for Major League Soccer since March, has been promoted to General Manager of the Professional Referee Organization (PRO). Congrats Howard!

22.43 GMT: The tug of war between Liverpool and Juventus over Emre Can has apparently taken a new turn.

Reports out of England suggest that Man City are also interested in the Liverpool midfielder and could ultimately join the sweepstakes for Can's future. City got a good look at the 24-year-old midfielder and Juve target this past weekend in their 4-3 defeat at Anfield.

One player Liverpool are targeting in case Can does leave Anfield is German midfielder Leon Goretzka. Schalke's Goretzka is one of the hottest talents in Europe and is also being heavily linked to Bayern Munich.

22.20 GMT: Leading the Championship by 10 points, Wolves are still looking to bolster their ranks.

The Birmingham Mail writes that Wolves are interested in both Newcastle attacker Yasin Ben El-Mhanni and West Ham defender Jose Fonte.

It is hard to say Wolves need too much help given their significant lead in the table but you have to credit the club for not being satisfied.

22.05 GMT: We mentioned Roma full-back Emerson Palmieri earlier in the blog but now have an update. Reports out of Italy now confirm that the Brazilian has been in talks with Chelsea over a potential move.

The 22-year-old is being lined up as an alternative to top Blues target Alex Sandro of Juventus. Fernando Garcia, Palmieri's agent, expanded on the links between his player and London club:

"Absolutely the two clubs are now talking, we'll see if it will be successful. Obviously, yes it would be a dream: Antonio Conte is a top manager, one of the best and most successful in the world."

One potential snag? Chelsea are currently being investigated by FIFA for "breaking rules on signing foreign players", something that come could bring with it a transfer ban punishment. Stay tuned.

21.45 GMT: Paulo Dybala to Man United? These rumours are nothing new but Juventus CEO Beppe Marotta has weighed in:

"He's a very strong player, on which we aim a lot," Moratta told Sky, via La Gazetta dello Sport.

"But Dybala will undoubtedly remain at Juve, also because we do not need to sell anyone, unless the same player asks."

Is leaving Juve as simple for Dybala as asking? Probably not but it looks as if the Argentine will be staying put for now.

21.17 GMT: With Jonny Evans potentially leaving before the end of the month, West Brom are in the market for cover in defence.

One player they won't be signing according to the Birmingham Mail is Basel right-back Michael Lang. Contrary to reports elsewhere, the paper says that West Brom are not interested in the Swiss defender who has scored six goals this season from defence.

Earlier reports have linked the two sides but it sounds as if West Brom have turned their attention elsewhere for the time being.

20.59 GMT: DONE DEAL -- USMNT veteran DaMarcus Beasley is back for another tour of duty with the Houston Dynamo, signing a contract extension through 2018 on Thursday.

The 35-year-old is the owner of 126 caps with the United States and even at his advanced age has remained a starter and key contributor for Houston.

20.35 GMT: This isn't one I expected to type today: Chelsea inquire about Stoke's Peter Crouch.

Yes, you read that correctly. With Alvaro Morata short of confidence, Michy Batshuayi not trusted by Antonio Conte and transfer target Andy Carroll now set for a spell on the sidelines, the Blues have made an inquiry regarding the soon-to-be 37-year-old Crouch.

Crouch has three Premier League goals to his name this season and could be a short-term fix for a Chelsea club that has scored just once in their last four games.

20.13 GMT: If there is one club with money to spend this window it is Liverpool after the sale of Philippe Coutinho. But who would the Reds spend it on?

OGC Nice playmaker Jean-Michael Seri is one player being linked to Anfield and would be a like-for-like replacement for Coutinho. Seri is in high demand, though, as Chelsea, Man City and Man United are also monitoring the midfielder, who has amassed 18 assists over the past two and a half seasons.

Reports in Italy also claim Liverpool are keeping tabs on Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic and Roma full-back Emerson Palmieri. Brozovic would also help ease the departure of Coutinho, while Liverpool's defensive woes are no secret.

Liverpool are a side trending up but a few more signings wouldn't hurt a club still competing on three fronts.

19.48 GMT: In need of a shot in the arm in terms of creativity and attacking intent, Swansea City, according to Sky Italia are pursuing Ajax's Amin Younes.

The 24-year-old winger has played sparingly for the Dutch side this season but is a budding talent, who broke into Germany's senior team for last summer's Confederation Cup.

19.26 GMT: Another one for our American readers in the States. The LA Galaxy are considering signing ex-D.C. United and Philadelphia Union forward Chris Pontius.

The 30-year-old free agent is originally from Southern California and is looking for a new home after a drop-off in form last season. We will keep an eye on this one in the coming days.

19.05 GMT: Back in top form and the good graces of the fans at Arsenal, Mesut Ozil has a tough decision to make regarding his future.

With clubs like Manchester United and Juventus reportedly offering the soon-to-be free agent an escape from the Emirates, Ozil's future is hard to predict, especially with Alexis Sanchez's pending move to United.

Ozil's future could be close to a resolution, though, as Sky Sports' Alan Smith, a former Gunner himself, says the German is close to signing a contract extension to stay on at the Emirates.

Ozil's time so far at Arsenal has been a topsy-turvy rollercoaster, there are sure to be a few more twists and turns yet.

18.42 GMT: DONE DEAL -- Tidying up one loose end from earlier... as expected, Leeds have completed the signing of Adam Forshaw from Middlesbrough for £4.5m.

Here's Forshaw talking about the move:

💬 | "The size of the club, the history, everything just felt right and I can't wait to get going" New #LUFC midfielder Adam Forshaw chats to LUTV after signing today... pic.twitter.com/WkW8Ypyrfi

The Liga MX veteran joins the Whitecaps from Monterrey, where he spent the last four years and won the 2017 Copa MX Apertura.

Next on the agenda for Efrain is to buy a winter coat!

18.06 GMT: Switching over to MLS for a minute, the Montreal Impact are set to sign Canada international Michael Petrasso from Queens Park Rangers.

The 22-year-old returns home after playing for five different English sides in five seasons abroad. Petrasso has eight caps with the Canadien senior team and originally came through the Toronto FC youth setup.

17.47 GMT: Liverpool have already lost a player to Barcelona this transfer window but could the Reds be ready to bring one in from Barca as well?

Manchester United and Napoli have also been linked with the out-of-favour Blaugrana defender.

17.30 GMT: Staying in Dortmund we have some news for all you tea-leaf readers out there: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been left out of the BVB squad for Friday's contest at Hertha Berlin amid increasing transfer speculation.

Could Aubameyang have played his last game for the Westphalians? We shall see.

17.08 GMT: Huddersfield are eyeing a move for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Neven Subotic, according to Bild. The 29-year-old helped Dortmund to back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012 but has fallen out of favour in recent seasons.

16.43 GMT:Pontus Jansson's agent Martin Dahlin has dismissed reports linking the defender with a move to Southampton, saying he intends to remain at Leeds and focus on the club's promotion bid. Jansson had been mentioned as a potential replacement for Virgil van Dijk at St Mary's, reports Swedish site fotbollskanalen.se.

16.26 GMT: Alexis Sanchez might be on his way, but The Sun has some good news for Arsenal, claiming that Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere will soon commit their futures to the Gunners. Ozil had been tipped to link up with Sanchez at Man United in the summer, but it now seems he's set to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

16.07 GMT:Andy Carroll has been ruled out for four to six weeks with an ankle injury, ruining his chances of a move to Chelsea. The Telegraph reports that the striker may even require surgery, which could sideline him for four months.

15.51 GMT: Done deal! Steven Naismith has swapped Norwich for Hearts on a loan deal until the end of the season.

15.32 GMT: Brighton and Everton are battling it out to sign promising Charlton youngster Ezri Konsa, reports the South London Press. The defender, who was part of England's Under-20 World Cup-winning squad, will cost in the region of £4 million.

15.16 GMT: Crystal Palace's search for a new goalkeeper continues as the Independent's Ed Malyon says Getafe shot-stopper Vicente Guaita won't be joining the Eagles in January. Ipswich's Bartosz Bialkowski is thought to be a £4 million target for Roy Hodgson.

14.54 GMT: Chelsea are pursuing a loan deal for Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri, with a view to signing the Brazilian on a permanent contract in the summer. Italian outlet Mediaset says the 23-year-old is also being tracked by Liverpool and Juventus.

14.37 GMT: Liverpool and Inter Milan are duking it out for Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, claims TalkSport. The 21-year-old only moved to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer, but has struggled for game time under Zinedine Zidane.

14.16 GMT: Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri is at the centre of a four-way Premier League transfer tussle, according to the Daily Mirror. Manchester United supposedly lead the race for the 26-year-old, who has a £35 million release clause, while Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City are also monitoring the former Barcelona target's situation at Nice.

14.04 GMT: Lille and Lyon have reached agreement on a €15 million deal for Martin Terrier, L'Equipe reports. The France Under-21 forward has been handed a four-and-a-half year contract with OL, but will still finish his season-long loan at Strasbourg.

13.45 GMT: Paul Lambert has wasted no time in the January transfer window. Stoke's defence has been a problem this season but the arrival of Kostas Stafylidis on loan from Augsburg could go some way to fixing that.

13.29 GMT: Manchester United have opened talks with David De Gea over extending the goalkeeper's contract, the Telegraph reports. De Gea's current £200,000-a-week deal expires at the end of next season, although the club have the option of an automatic one-year extension.

13.16 GMT: Leicester have had a second bid rejected for Marseille winger Bouna Sarr. The Foxes are believed to have offered £4.5 million for Sarr, according to RMC, but OM boss Rudi Garcia is keen to hold on to the 25-year-old.

13.00 GMT: Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly wants to commit his future to the club after being linked with a move to Chelsea last summer. "If the contract is good I'd have no problem in doing it," Koulibaly told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I want to stay at Napoli because I love the city and everybody loves me. I want to give something in return, I want to win the Scudetto for them."

12.45 GMT: West Ham are chasing a loan deal for Inter Milan misfit Joao Mario, reports RMC, with the midfielder apparently free to leave the San Siro this month.

12.30 GMT: Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has hit out at Arsene Wenger for discussing Arsenal's pursuit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The striker is expected to be back in the Dortmund squad for Friday's match against Hertha Berlin.

Michael Zorc (Dortmund director): "We find it disrespectful to speak about players of other clubs. There is no contact with Arsenal. We assume Arsène Wenger has enough to take care of with his own players." pic.twitter.com/Hfgq3Tw91d

12.23 GMT: David Moyes was at Chelsea's FA Cup tie against Norwich on Wednesday night, encouraging speculation that he will try to bring Michy Batshuayi to West Ham in exchange for Andy Carroll. Batshuayi has also been linked with a switch to Sevilla after failing to hold down a regular place under Antonio Conte.

12.12 GMT:Jonny Evans will be allowed to leave West Brom to join Man City for £23.5 million, according to The Sun. Arsenal have also expressed an interest in the defender, but City lead the race for his signature.

11.59 GMT: There could be a hold up in Alexis Sanchez's move to Manchester United, with Arsenal demanding an additional £10 million to swap the Chilean for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the Evening Standard claims.

11.51 GMT:Alexis Sanchez looks to be heading to Manchester United -- and Jesse Lingard is already joking about the Arsenal star's medical. Full story.

11.40 GMT: Liverpool aren't confident of pursuing a deal for Leon Goretzka, reports the Liverpool Echo, with the Schalke midfielder seemingly set to join Bayern Munich when his contract expires next summer.

11.24 GMT: According to Marca, Eden Hazard and Robert Lewandowski are two more names on Real Madrid's shortlist for the summer, along with Neymar, as Florentino Perez plans to shake up the club's forward line.

11.10 GMT: Two-thirds of Real Madrid fans think it's time for Cristiano Ronaldo to leave, according to an online poll conducted by Spanish paper AS. Read more here.

10.49 GMT:Gerard Pique has put pen to paper on a new contract at Barcelona that will run until 2022. The defender's new deal reportedly includes a €500 million release clause -- Neymar's exit is clearly still fresh in Barca's minds.

10.38 GMT: Reports in France have suggested Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura could be on his way to Tottenham, but sources have told ESPN FC that the Brazilian isn't a priority for Mauricio Pochettino.

10.33 GMT: After missing last weekend's 0-0 draw with Wolfsburg due to disciplinary reasons, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in line to return to the Borussia Dortmund team for Friday's clash with Hertha Berlin. The striker is strongly linked with a move to Arsenal, but any transfer could hinge on the completion of Alexis Sanchez's move to Manchester United.

10.23 GMT: Leipzig are nearing the signing of Benfica youngster Umaro Embalo, according to Bild. The 16-year-old could cost up to €15 million plus bonuses, and is also linked with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United.

10.11 GMT:Paul-Georges Ntep has left Wolfsburg and returned to France to join Saint-Etienne on loan until the end of the season. The winger only made five appearances for Die Wolfe this season.

09.58 GMT: Some news from Germany now, where Augsburg left-back Konstantinos Stafylidis, 24, is set to join Stoke on loan until the end of the season. Stafylidis has dropped down the pecking order at Augsburg this term following the rise of Philipp Max.

09.53 GMT: With speculation again rife that Cristiano Ronaldo is seeking an exit from Real Madrid, our writers discuss the future for the Ballon d'Or holder.

09.46 GMT:Emre Can could also be on his way out of Anfield in the near future. The midfielder's contract expires at the end of the season, with Juventus honcho Beppe Marotta saying the club will "intensify" their efforts to sign him. Read more here.

09.40 GMT:Daniel Sturridge is a wanted man in January, sources have confirmed to ESPN FC. The Liverpool striker, valued at around £30 million by his club, is a target for Inter Milan and Sevilla. Full story.

09.27 GMT: Arsene Wenger has also been speaking about moves for Malcom and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Arsenal boss downplayed talk of the Brazilian joining from Bordeaux, but suggested negotiations are under way for Aubameyang: "This kind of thing is better when it's secret and when you don't comment before announcing it."

09.10 GMT: Arsene Wenger has confirmed that a swap deal with Manchester United for Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is likely to happen, but warned that the deal could still fall through. Read more here.

General manager Beppe Marotta said: "[Ronaldo] is an idea, but he's impossible right now. It would be too great a business risk, not just for Juve but for the whole of Italian football."

08.15 GMT: Former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has signed on with MLS side Chicago Fire for another year.

The former Germany international ended an open letter to the club's supporters by saying: "I love this city. I love this sport. And I love winning. And so, it is with great happiness that I announce my return to the Chicago Fire in 2018. I look forward to another year with my teammates, the staff and, of course, our great fans.

07.38 GMT: AC Milan were big spenders in the summer signing 11 new players but they have ruled out signings in the January window, as they instead focus on getting the best out of the squad they shaped six months ago.

"A bit of imagination never harms, and it is part of the game -- particularly when the transfer market is open -- but despite all of the hypotheses, which everybody has the right to make, Milan's winter transfer market does not foresee any new arrivals, but exclusively the consolidation of all the players who arrived at Milanello in the many summer transfer operations," a club statement read.

"The club remain convinced by the decisions taken and are continuing to work on these, thanks to the hard work of Rino Gattuso and his staff and the application of all of the players who are part of the group."

Milan's statement came in response to rumours that their sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli had been in Germany to make an approach for Hoffenheim midfielder Kerem Demirbay.

07.20 GMT: Thursday's Transfer Talk live blog kicks off with news about Swansea's player search. The struggling Premier League side have been linked with players from AC Milan and Atletico Madrid already in the January transfer window, and manager Carlos Carvalhal says four or five new faces could have arrived already.

"I need players who cover the gaps we have in the team -- we need players with certain abilities in the team," he said, adding: "We have been offered a lot of players already. We could have shown the fans that we are doing something by signing four or five players already but those players have the same abilities as the players I already have. I don't want more of the same.

"To fight for the players with quality is not easy -- we are trying to get players who will come here and make an impact in the team,

Juve plot Robert Lewandowski signing

The Old Lady already have a similar striker in Gonzalo Higuain, but the Pole could play alongside the Argentinian to form one of the best partnerships in football.

Any move for Lewandowski would raise questions over the future of Paulo Dybala, who has experienced difficulties in his relationship with Massimiliano Allegri this term, sparking speculation of a move away.